Best Dado Blade For Circular Saw: Make Dados Like A Pro!

Last Updated On February 10, 2023

Tired of splintering while groove cut? Or, Want to make clean and smooth dados in seconds?

You are in the right place! In this article, we are here with some best dado blades that can make a clean and splinter-free dado on any material. 

If you’re making groove cuts with a dull dado blade, the edges or bottoms become a little messy. In fact, these blades cause kickbacks that may lead to serious health injuries. 

Now, to get rid of such issues, you have to use premium-quality dado blades. That’s why we have included the best dado blade for circular saw you can go right now! 

Comparison Table

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Best Dado Blade For Circular Saw: Make Dados Like A Pro!

To make clean and splinter-free dados groove cuts, you need a quality Dado blade set. Let’s have a look at some best dado blade set options. 

#1 Best For Durability: Freud SD206 6″ Pro Dado Set

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On the top of our list, we have a 6″ Pro Dado Set manufactured by the well-known Freud family. As this dado set comes with an anti-kickback design, these blades can provide a safer operation while making dadoes. Let’s have a look at the specification of this pro dado set.

Specifications

• Two wing chippers and shim set
• Come with an anti-kickback design
• Made with TiCo Hi-density carbide
• Includes 10-tooth blades with 5/8-inch arbors
• Micrograin carbide tips with tri-metal brazing.

Let’s talk about the materials of this dado set. These blades are made with TiCo high-density material which is a blend of titanium, cobalt, and tungsten. As a result, these blades can withstand numerous sharpenings and resist bending. In addition, the blade tips come with micrograin carbide formulations that remain sharp for a longer time and offer precise cuts.

Moreover, this dado hand saw blade uses a Tri-metal brazing process that makes the blades impact resistance. As a result, these blades last for days and you can make thousands of dados without any dulling issues. So, you can make some clean, precise, and splinter-free cuts even with underpowered saws.

Further, this set includes 1/8-inch chippers and 1/16-inch spacers. As these chippers and spacers come with a two-wing design, they can remove the waste material of the workpiece and smooth the edges quickly.  Also, the handy shim set expands the kerf adjustments range. Hence, these blades offer greater control which results in a well-finished dado.

Pros

• Anti-kickback design can provide a safer operation
• TiCo blend withstand numerous sharpenings and resist bending
• Two-wing designed spacer can remove the waste material quickly
• Micrograin carbide formulations tips remain sharp for a longer time
• Kerf adjustments range offer greater control for well-finished dados.

Cons

• Blades fit a little tight on the SawStop arbor
• The chart of using blades or spacers for width is not accurate.

#2 Best Budget: The Mibro Group 416381 8″ Carbide Dado Blade Set

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At the second spot,  we have a Mibro Group Carbide Dado Blade set that includes two 8″ outer blades. As these blades come with extra-large carbide teeth, they won’t chip or fracture easily and last longer than normal blades. To know what this saw blade set brings, let’s scroll through its specs.

Specifications

• 8″ outer blades with extra-large teeth
• Blades are made with premium carbide material
• Includes up to 5 chipper blades with 7 metal shims
• Fully automated and electronically welded teeth
• Anti-kickback tooth profile with a pattern of 5 teeth.

Often you heard the dado blades make the edges or bottoms a little messy!  It actually happens due to the splintering of the blades. But, these 8″ carbide dado blades are made with premium carbide material with electronically welded teeth. As a result, these blades make smooth and virtually splinter-free dados on the material. 

Much like the previous Freud SD206 6″ Pro Dado Set, this 416381 also comes with an anti-kickback design. With such a tooth profile, these blades can provide a safer operation while making clean dadoes. Also, the fully-automated design ensures the exact placement of brazing with the correct amount making the blades highly impact resistant.

On top of that, this dado circular saw blade set includes up to 5 two-wing chippers that can remove the waste material of the workpiece quickly. However, this dado set comes with a durable case that includes internal dividers for all the components to keep them safe and secure.

Pros

• Extra large carbide teeth won’t chip or fracture easily
• Anti-kickback tooth profile can provide a safer operation
• Electronically welded teeth make smooth and splinter-free dados
• Two wing chippers can remove the waste material real quick
• Exact placement of brazing makes the blades highly impact resistance.

Cons

• The shims of the set are not well marked
• These teeth don’t make a perfect flat cut.

#3 Best Overall: Oshlun SDS-0842 8-Inch 42 Tooth Stack Dado Set

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At the 3rd spot, we have an 8-Inch 42 Stack Dado Set that comes with professional-grade C-4 micro grain carbide tips. Now, these tips can go through any materials, no matter whether you want to make dados on hardwood, softwood, or plywood. Let’s have a look at some best specs of the set.

Specifications

• High tooth count of 42 teeth
• Made with premium tungsten carbide
• Includes full body chippers for easy set-up
• Comes with a high-quality shim set
• Professional grade C-4 micro grain carbide tips

When it comes to the tooth count of blades, this set includes up to 42 teeth. Due to such a high tooth count, this blade can produce smooth and splinter-free bottom dado cuts. In fact, these blades are made with premium tungsten carbide that resists bending even under extreme pressure.

In addition, these carbide blades can score marks on the outer edges. As a result, these premium blades can eliminate tearing while making dados. Besides, this SDS-0842 includes a high-quality shim set that provides a level surface to ensure fine adjustments of the blades.

Compared to The Mibro Group 416381 8″ Carbide Dado Blade Set, this one comes with full-body chippers. These chippers are easy to set up and help to produce less vibration than the winged ones. Further, this set includes a storage case that can keep all your dado components safe and secure.

Pros

• C-4 micro grain carbide tips can go through any materials
• Premium tungsten carbide resist bending even under extreme pressure
• High tooth count can produce smooth and splinter-free bottom cuts
• Full body chippers are easy to set up and help to produce less vibration
• High-quality shim set provides a level surface to ensure fine adjustment.

Cons

• The chipper may mess up sometimes
• The storage case is a little cheap in design.

#4 Best Materials: Freud SD308 8″ SAFETY Dado Set

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Here comes another Freud Dado set that comes with TiCo high-density blades. As TiCo is a blend of titanium, cobalt, and tungsten, these blades can withstand numerous sharpenings and resist bending. Let’s have a look at the specs that may help you to make a quicker decision.

Specifications

• Razor-sharp blades with 22-tooth
• Two wing chippers for flat bottom grooves
• Blades are made with TiCo Hi-density carbide
• Includes an anti-kickback design for safety purposes
• Comes with high-quality micrograin carbide tips.

This Safety Dado set comes with micrograin carbide formulations on the blade tips. With such formulation, these blades can remain sharp for a longer time. In fact, these dado blades are flexible from table saws to radial-arm saws. As a result, this set can offer smooth dados on a wide range of materials.

Same as the Oshlun SDS-0842 8-Inch 42 Tooth Stack Dado Set, this one also includes a shim set that provides a level surface to fine-tune your cuts. Besides, this Freud SD308 includes up to 5 two-wing chippers. Now, due to the two-wing design, these chippers can remove the waste material of the workpiece and smooth the edges quickly. 

However, this dado set comes with an anti-kickback design. Hence, these blades can provide a safer operation while making dadoes. Also, these blades go through a Tri-metal brazing process that makes them highly impact resistant. So, these blades last for thousands of dados without dulling.

Pros

• Micrograin carbide tips remain sharp for a longer time
• Tri-metal brazing process makes the blade highly impact-resistant
• Flexibility with different saws can cover a wide range of materials
• The anti-kickback design of the blade offers a safer operation
• Two-wing designed chippers can remove the waste material quickly.

Cons

• The chart of chippers for the width is not accurate
• These blades may fit a little tight on the SawStop arbor.

#5 Best For Clean Cuts: Amana Tool – 658060 Carbide Tipped Prestige Dado Set

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Finally, we have a Carbide Tipped Prestige Dado Set that comes with the latest in cutting tool technology. As the outside blade of the set includes a massive tool-steel plate, it can resist bending even under extreme pressure. Let’s have a look at the specification of this pro dado set.

Specifications

• Include up to 4 wing chippers
• Anti-kickback design for safety purposes
• Steel plate with high ATB grind geometry
• Comes with precision ground d-10 carbide teeth
• Outside blade includes a massive tool-steel plate.

Let’s talk about the teeth of the blade first. As the blade comes with precision ground d-10 carbide teeth, it can perfectly cut smooth edges or flat-bottom. In addition, each tooth body features an anti-kickback design to prevent overfeeding. As a result, these blades can keep the operation safe while making dadoes.

Unlike the previous Freud SD308 8″ SAFETY Dado Set, this one includes High-ATB grind geometry with grain formulation that offers efficient chip removal and keeps the cuts free of rough edges and splinters. Besides, the negative hook angle of the blade makes a smoother and slower cut, making it ideal for hard materials.

Further, this handheld dado saw blade set includes up to 4 wing chippers. With such a wing design, these chippers can remove the waste material of the workpiece and make the edges smooth quickly. So, whether you want to make dados on hardwood, softwood, or plywood, this dado set can always stand by your side!

Pros

• Massive tool-steel plate resists bending even under extreme pressure
• Negative hook angle of the blade makes a smoother and slower cut
• Wing chipper design can remove the waste material of the workpiece
• Ground d-10 carbide teeth can perfectly cut smooth edges or flat-bottom
• High-ATB grind geometry keeps the cuts free of rough edges and splinters.

Cons

• The chipper of the set is a little bit messy
• This blade can cause little splintering at low speed.

Buying Guide For Best Dado Blade

Before spending some bucks on a Dado blade, you have to be clear about multiple factors like the outer blade, tooth profile, spacers, saw compatibility, and storage case. Let’s dig into these factors in detail.

Outer Blade

It is the most important factor as the outer blade decides how much pressure the blade can take. Most of the time, the dado blade breaks while operating on strong materials. So, it is better to pick a dado blade with steel, carbide, or TiCo blend.

Some blades include a massive tool-steel plate that can resist bending even under extreme pressure. On the other hand, some blades are made of TiCo blend which can withstand numerous sharpenings and also resist bending.

Tooth Profile

It matters a lot as the tooth profile decides the quality of cuts. If a dado blade comes with a higher tooth count, it can produce more smooth and splinter-free dado cuts.

On top of that, the Dado set comes with micrograin carbide formulations on the blade tips that helps the blade to remain sharp for a longer time. Also, the High-ATB tooth geometry offers efficient chip removal and keeps the cuts free of rough edges and splinters, no matter if it is hardwood, softwood, or plywood.

Chippers

It is also important as the chipper can remove the waste material and offer clean cuts. Dado blades set actually includes winged or full set chipper to ensure clean cutting.

If the blades come with two-wing chippers, it can remove the waste material of the workpiece and smooth the edges. On the other hand, full-body chippers are easy to set up and help to produce less vibration. As a result, you can enjoy clean cuts on any materials.

Anti-Kickback Design

Kickbacks may cause serious health injuries while operating. But, some dado blades come with an anti-kickback design that prevents overfeeding. As a result, these blades can provide a safer operation while making dadoes. So, it is wise to choose a dado blade with an anti-kickback design to keep yourself safe.

Saw Compatibility

If the Dado blade is not compatible with the saw, it may cause serious health injury. But, if the blade is flexible with multiple saws, it can cover different types of materials.

Nowadays, dado blades are flexible with table saws, circular saws, and radial-arm saws. As a result, this set can offer smooth dados on a wide range of materials. So, pick a blade set that is compatible with multiple saws.

Types of Dado Blades

Dado blades are mainly two types- wobble dado blade and stacked dado blade. Let’s have a look at these blade types in detail.

Wobble Dado Blade

It is a single blade and adjustable for a custom cut. As this blade comes with an offset rotation, it makes an S pattern on the material while cutting. Due to the fewer parts, you need a few seconds to set up the wobble dado blade. But, it is comparatively primitive, hard to use, and less efficient.  

Stacked Dado Blade

It is actually a series of blades including the outer blade, spacer, and shim set. Depending on the width of the cut, you can remove or add a spacer in the crack. So, it is a wider blade that offers high performance and covers different types of material.

Now, if you want a perfect joint with an accurate cut, a stacked dado blade is the absolute solution. In fact, this type of blade remains sharp for a longer time. Also, the chipper can remove the waste material to provide clean cuts.

How To Make Dado Cuts With Circular Saw

First of all, place a sacrificial board made of plywood or wood on the work table, and then place the wood you want to make a groove cut. Placing a sacrificial board is a must as it keeps the work table safe from any types of accidental cuts. 

Next, use a pencil to mark the boundaries of the cutting line. It is better to use tape and then mark the tape for more visibility of the markings. Once you’re done with the pencil, it’s time to take out the circular saw. Then, adjust the blade height of the blade according to the cutting depth. 

To keep the saw inside the boundaries, we suggest you use two grip clamps, one on each side. After that, align the saw blade in the cutting line and make multiple cuts inside the boundaries. The more passes you make with the circular saw, the more easily the wood can be chiseled out. 

Finally, take a chisel and hammer to remove the excess wood.  We hope your clean and precise groove cut is ready for further use. 

FAQs

Can You Put 2 Blades On a Circular Saw?

Yes, you can put 2 blades on a dual-blade circular saw. Using dual blades can reduce the kickbacks but is a little bit tricky to control.

What Type of Saw Uses a Dado Blade?

You can use a dado blade on the table saws, circular saws, and radial arm saws. Always check the saw compatibility before picking the saw blade.

What’s a Dado Joint?

It is actually a tough and sturdy type of joint where a carpenter joins two pieces at a 90° angle. It is used on woodworking projects like making cabinets or shelving.

What Can I Use Instead of a Dado Blade? 

You can use a table saw but the process is a little hard and risky. So, it is better to use a dado blade for groove cuts. 

Can You Stack Regular Saw Blades To Make a Dado?

Yes, you can stack regular saw blades to make a dado. But, it may cause serious injuries due to kickbacks. 

Final Thoughts

Finally, we have made it to the end. Among these dado blades, the Freud SD206 6″ Pro Dado Set would be the best pick as it includes TiCo blade tips that can withstand numerous sharpenings, remain sharp for a longer time and offer clean cuts.
If you’re looking for a smooth and splinter-free bottom dado cut, we suggest you go for the Oshlun SDS-0842 8-Inch 42 Tooth Stack Dado Set. Pick any of these dado blades right now or use our buying guide to choose the best one according to your needs. Get your dado blade for circular saw today to make dados in seconds!